Mahesh Bhatt On Best Friend Vinod Khanna's Birth Anniversary: He Touched My Life And Made It Glow | Exclusive

On legendary actor Vinod Khanna's 68th birth anniversary, Mahesh Bhatt talks to Zoom about the influence he had on him.We know Vinod Khanna was a huge influence on you, and you on him. What was your biggest learning experience in your association with him?Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead you. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend… This is how I remember Vinod Khanna—a true friend and a star. He never asked anyone to follow him or to walk behind him, nor did he allow anyone to lead him.And yet there was a point in your friendship when you two drifted apart? Yes, we differed in our opinion on Osho. Irrespective of differing views on spirituality and Osho (Acharya Rajneesh). I took him to meet Osho and eventually broke away, but he remained with the flock.But the bonding remained?He walked beside me and remained my friend. In fact, he was a springboard for my career. Without his presence, I would have sunk into the abyss of oblivion after a series of flops. There was something he saw in me that he believed was sparkling, and he always made it a point to articulate that.ALSO READ: What do you most remember Vinod Khanna for? I remember him for his generosity and consistency. He was consistently supportive, regardless of our ideological differences. So, a big thank you to Vinod Khanna, my friend, to whom I owe so much. He touched my life and made it glow.